Inkom loses police department

INKOM, Idaho (KIFI) - It was a bittersweet day on Friday for JM Johnston, with his final day on the job as an Inkom police officer.

"It was a little bit surprising when the news came out that the city voted to go with a county contract," Johnston said. "I've been here about three months. This is my hometown and I came out to help out. But things change and we just had to move forward. And I'm here to support whatever decision the city and the mayor made."

While Johnston hasn't worked for the department for that long, he says it was a privilege to serve his hometown community.

"Overall, it was really good," Johnston said. "I know most of the citizens here. There are some new folks here since since I've been back, but a lot of support. I hope that that support continues for the county guys that'll be out here taking our place."

The City of Inkom came to the conclusion to remove their police department after losing their police chief, and with limited options, they decided to consolidate with the Bannock County Sheriff's Office.

Inkom Mayor Max Shaffer says despite losing their department, the level of police presence in the community won't change.

"We've paid our police department five hours a day, seven days a week for the last several years," Shaffer said. "That's the same contract that we have with the county. They'll provide five hours a day policing here in Inkom."

Shaffer also says the city of Inkom has worked well with the county in the past.

"All the time that we've had an Inkom Police Department, Bannock County has been our dispatch, and they've responded to anything that we couldn't respond to or back up for our officers," Shaffer said.

Shaffer says losing the police department will have an impact, whether it's seeing the patrol car leading the Fourth of July parade, or having a local officer at the elementary school every morning.

But Shaffer is optimistic now that the county is fully on board.

"It won't be as personal, but it'll be more professional and they'll take care of our needs very well I think," Shaffer said.